Fuel pumps & agencies do not follow fire norms

Aurangabad: The data from the civic body’s fire service department has revealed that several petrol pumps, gas cylinder godowns and crackers shops in the city are functioning without a no-objection ertificate (NoC) from the department. The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation has issued several notices to the said commercial unit, but to no avail The Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act mandates any person constructing a commercial building of more than 15m of height to secure a fire NoC from the chief fire officer. However, petrol and diesel pumps, LPG pumps, gas cylinder godowns and firecracker shops in the city are running without a fire license. One has to apply to the chief fire officer of the AMC for the license. The fire department checks the documents and licences of the traders and conducts an inspection before issuing a fire NoC. RK Sure, chief fire officer of the AMC, said that the due to the explosive products that they are dealings with, it is important for fuel pumps, gas cylinder agencies and cracker shops to secure NoC from us. At least 44 out of the 123 petrol and diesel pumps in the district are functioning without fire NoC. and At least four of the 23 LPG pumps in the district do not have it either. The data of the fire department also stated that one LPG pump, four gas cylinder agencies do not possess fire license. Sure said that in the last one year 60 new petrol and diesel pumps were given permission in the district. “The issuing of the fire NoC to many of these new pumps is under process and will be given out soon. However, some of the traders who have shown disinterest in securing the mandatory licence has been issued notices several times,” he said. The fire licences of two crackers shops in the city in City Chowk and Paithan Gate have been revoked five years ago. However, they continue to run. “Notices were issued previously. Now, the AMC will seek police’s help so that they can seal the shops running illegally,” Sure said.